Best Schools in Upper Montclair, New Jersey
5 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Upper Montclair?
Use this page to compare every school in Upper Montclair by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Lacordaire Academy
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Buzz Aldrin Middle School
Middle · Montclair Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Bradford Elementary School
Elementary · Montclair Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Upper Montclair for 2026 are Lacordaire Academy (8.1/10), Buzz Aldrin Middle School (7.9/10), and Bradford Elementary School (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
5
3 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.4
out of 10
Median Home
$840,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
3 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.4
out of 10
Median Home
$840,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Upper Montclair
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lacordaire Academy | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Buzz Aldrin Middle School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Bradford Elementary School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | St Cassian Elementary School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Northeast Elementary School | 6.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.4/10
- Median household income
- $188,542
- Median home value
- $840,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 76%
- Avg commute
- 40 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 68%
80% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Upper Montclair compares
New Jersey rank
#41 of 344
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.1
above New Jersey avg (6.4)
Median household income
$189k
160% of New Jersey median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Upper Montclair, New Jersey
Upper Montclair, New Jersey is home to 5 schools, including 3 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school.
With an average rating of 7.4 out of 10, schools in Upper Montclair perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Upper Montclair is Lacordaire Academy with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Upper Montclair is served by 1 school district: Montclair Public School District. These districts collectively serve 6,192 students.
Upper Montclair's community shows 76% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $188,542. The poverty rate in the area is 5.1%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 375 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 | ||
| 2 | 374 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.7 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Cassian Elementary School
Private
244 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.0 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 607 students · 6th–8th | 7.9 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lacordaire Academy
Private
265 students · Pre-K–12th | 8.1 |
Schools in Upper Montclair
Upper Montclair, New Jersey · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$188,542
Median Home Value
$840,700
Median Rent
$2,152/mo
Population
40,675
College Educated
76%
Homeownership
68%
Avg Commute
40 min
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Community Profile
Upper Montclair has a median household income of $188,542. It is a well-educated community where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $840,700, with a median rent of $2,152/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 40 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New Jersey
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in New Jersey
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Upper Montclair, New Jersey
How many schools are in Upper Montclair, New Jersey?
Upper Montclair has 5 schools, including 3 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Upper Montclair, New Jersey?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Upper Montclair is 7.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Upper Montclair, New Jersey?
The top-ranked school in Upper Montclair on MySchoolScout is Lacordaire Academy with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Upper Montclair, New Jersey?
The top-ranked elementary school in Upper Montclair on MySchoolScout is Bradford Elementary School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Upper Montclair, New Jersey?
The top-ranked middle school in Upper Montclair on MySchoolScout is Buzz Aldrin Middle School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
How many school districts serve Upper Montclair, New Jersey?
Upper Montclair is served by 1 school district: Montclair Public School District.
What is the education level in Upper Montclair, New Jersey?
According to Census data, 76% of adults in Upper Montclair have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Upper Montclair, New Jersey?
The median household income in Upper Montclair is approximately $188,542 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Upper Montclair, New Jersey?
Yes, Upper Montclair has 2 private schools alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is Lacordaire Academy with a score of 8.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Upper Montclair, New Jersey?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Upper Montclair is 10.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Upper Montclair, New Jersey?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, New Jersey Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.